Linguistics (research)

The linguistics community is unified within the Amsterdam Center for Language and Communication (ACLC), and also includes members of the Institute of Logic, Language and Communication (ILLC) and the Amsterdam Brain and Cognition (ABC). Linguistics at the UvA is ranked highest in continental Europe by QS World University Rankings by Subject 2015. This rich research environment is a breeding ground for young and new talent in the field. The Research Master's in Linguistics provides the framework in which this talent can be nurtured and trained, resulting in linguists ready to embark upon a PhD project in The Netherlands or abroad, or start a job in education or industries requiring strong methodological and analytical skills.

Studying Linguistics at the University of Amsterdam

The research Master’s programme in Linguistics is a two-year collective programme of all language departments and linguistics. It provides students with the necessary training to successfully conduct research in a wide variety of sub-areas of linguistics. Crucially, the programme constructively combines different theoretical and sub-disciplinary perspectives.

Students are taught to understand the value of different theoretical approaches to analysing linguistic problems in an open, constructive atmosphere, which trains future linguists who will look beyond the borders of their own particular field of expertise. This is reflected in the programme’s core courses: various perspectives convene around a single research theme, while serious attention is paid to methodology.

Students gain a strong theoretical background while being able to apply their knowledge in a variety of sub-disciplines with individual research projects (tutorials) and their final thesis research in close collaboration with active researchers of the ACLC.

Students also get the chance to participate in courses organised by the Dutch national research institute LOT (Landelijke Onderzoeksschool Taalwetenschap) - courses taught by internationally renowned linguists from all over the world.

Furthermore, students attend lectures by external/international speakers at the Amsterdam Center for Language and Communication every two weeks on a wide variety of linguistic sub-disciplines.

The emphasis on a multi-disciplinary, multi-theoretical, complementary approach is unique to the Amsterdam programme.

Students highly appreciate the Linguistics programme, as witnessed by the national students survey NSE (Nationale Studenten Enquête). The NSE reports of the past few years show high ‘satisfaction’ rates ranging between 70 and 90% on programme aspects such as ‘contents’, ‘scientific skills’, ‘instructors’ and ‘assessment’.

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Degree certificate

The Research Master's programme Linguistics is an accredited degree
programme. After successful completion of this programme, you will receive a
legally accredited Master’s degree in Linguistics and the title Master of Arts
(MA).